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I am your author and host, Rick Loayza. This is the blog and podcast where we bring to life some of the forgotten stories from basketball history. I love basketball. I love watching it. I love reading about it. I love learning about its history. I am, for all intents and purposes, a basketball junkie. I’ve coached all three of my kids in youth basketball. In fact, I still coach my youngest each winter. Something just happened to me when I was 11 where I was bitten by the basketball bug. And ...
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Iconic Seasons is a podcast that takes you back to the greatest college basketball seasons of all time. Through the voices of players, coaches, and journalists, we relive the excitement, the drama, and the unforgettable moments that made these moments and seasons iconic. We use interviews, audio from the games, as well as scripted storytelling, to bring the past to life. Whether you're a die-hard college basketball fan or just a casual observer, Iconic Seasons is a must-listen for anyone who ...
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Send us a text The 1979 college basketball season was a pivotal moment in the sport's history. It was the year that two future NBA legends, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, first faced off in the NCAA championship game. The game was a clash of styles, with Michigan State's fast-paced, high-flying offense led by Johnson's passing going up against India…
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Back in the 1930s Ned Irish would out on college basketball double-headers in Madison Square Garden. These matchups pitted some of the best teams in the country against each other. This led to two outcomes. First, teams with radically different styles of play were scheduled in dream matchups for the fans. Second, it led to Irish making a small fort…
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Send us a text Before the legendary rivalry of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, there was a coach named Judd Heathcote who shaped the destiny of the 1979 NCAA championship. This episode explores Heathcote's demanding coaching style and his complex relationship with Magic Johnson at Michigan State. Learn how their clash of personalities contributed to …
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Magic Johnson’s greatest performance as an NBA player came in his rookie year, and in the most clutch moments against the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did he have to fill in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he scored 40 points in a closing Finals Game and took the Finals MVP trophy for himself. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Ja…
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Send us a text This episode explores the incredible journey of Larry Bird, from his humble beginnings in French Lick, Indiana, to becoming a global basketball icon. It looks at his unexpected rise to fame, his shy personality that defied the spotlight, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. From his time working on a garbage truck to his t…
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Spencer Haywood was the first player to try to enter the NBA early. There was a rule at the time that a player could not enter the NBA until he was four years removed from high school, but Haywood was already playing in the ABA and wanted to jump to the NBA. In the end the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide the matter. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head resea…
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Send us a text While Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would become forever linked in basketball history, their paths to success were starkly different. Magic, from the start, was a showman, and sought out the spotlight. Bird, in contrast, just wanted to play basketball, and largely shunned publicity. This difference in personality would be reflected in…
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The Oakland Oaks were able to make a huge splash by signing Rick Barry away from the San Francisco Warriors. The reason they were able to do this was because the guy that ran the Oaks was Barry’s father-in-law. The team would later become the Washington Capitols and then the Virginia Squires where they brought in Dr J. and George Gervin. It was a w…
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Send us a text In 1979, a seemingly ordinary college basketball game between Michigan State and Indiana State became a cultural phenomenon. The game, featuring future NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, captivated the nation and breathed new life into the struggling NBA. The matchup showcased the contrasting personalities and playing styles o…
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Michael Jordan once lost a game of 1-on-1 to a 45-year-old business man. And this was in 2003 just after Jordan played his final NBA All-Star Game. It was an incredible game that will live forever. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers Radio "Horizons"…
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Send us a text This podcast episode explores Larry Bird's formative high school years in French Lick, Indiana. Growing up in poverty with a father battling PTSD, Bird developed a sense of grit and determination early on. His older brother's basketball scholarship showed him a path to a different future. The episode tracks Bird's early successes, su…
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The NBA would be what it is if the early professional leagues had not proved that basketball was entertaining enough to sell tickets. These early leagues were the toddler phase of pro basketball development. Most of these leagues were each based in one city and the play style was closer to pro wrestling. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer…
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Send us a text Episode Title: The Making of Magic vs. Bird Episode Summary: The game was significant not only for the intense rivalry between these two future NBA stars, but also for its record-breaking viewership. The game drew in 24.1 rating, meaning a quarter of all television sets in America were tuned in, making it the highest-rated basketball…
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Send us a text This episode of The Anxious Rambler podcast focuses on the host’s recent concert experiences seeing The War on Drugs for two nights in Ohio and Kentucky and a solo trip to see My Morning Jacket in Savannah, Georgia. The hosts begin by talking about their road trip to Columbus, Ohio, the first stop on their concert adventure. They dis…
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Lew Alcindor was one of the most hyped high school players of all time. He was nationally famous at the age of 15. If social media and ESPN existed back in his day he would have his highlights all over the place. Even Wilt Chamberlain predicted greatness for Alcindor. Of course, Alcindor is known today at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest pl…
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Today, we share the story of the New Orleans Buccaneers, who later moved to Memphis, and then Baltimore. In all they had six different names in just eight seasons of play. But they also had some great players come through the organization like Doug Moe, Larry Brown, and Steve “Snapper” Jones. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice …
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The Buffalo Germans were the original powerhouse team in basketball history. They started out as 12- and 13-year-old German immigrants from a YMCA in Buffalo, New York. They later won the Olympic Tournament in 1904 as grown men. They were miles ahead of other teams. But things changed as the original players started to retire and were replaced by y…
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Just about every basketball fan knows about the University of Michigan Fab Five. But nearly 50 years earlier, the University of Utah had their own Fab Five that won the 1944 NCAA Tournament. And Utah was last minute replacement when another school dropped out. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, a…
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Send us a text In this episode the hosts take a deep dive into the music of their favorite band, The War on Drugs, and discuss their newly released live album, Live Drugs Again. https://www.thewarondrugs.net/music/live-drugs-again https://www.thewarondrugs.net/tour The hosts explain how Live Drugs Again is a unique collection of live tracks recorde…
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Dave Stallworth of the New York Knicks suffered a heart attack during a game against the Warriors in 1967. His doctors forced him to retire immediately. However, after two years of working out and increasing his activity, his cardiologist cleared him to return to the Knicks in 1969. He was the first NBA player to return to his sport after a heart a…
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Send us a text In this podcast episode, the hosts and their guest, Ana Ruge-Rodela , reflect on their experience attending an Incubus concert during the band's Morning View tour. The conversation is a blend of nostalgia, excitement, and reminiscence of their long friendship, which began in college, sparked by their mutual love for Incubus. They dis…
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Today we share the story of the Pittsburgh Pipers who later became the Pittsburgh Condors. The team only lasted five seasons before going out of business, but they relocated twice, went through 8 head coaches, and 3 name changes. But they will always be the original ABA champions when they featured Connie Hawkins as their leading scorer. CREDITS Ri…
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Bobby Plump went on to have a full life after winning the 1954 Indiana State Championship. He played in the NIBL, then started a successful company, opened a restaurant, and won a seat to the Indiana State House of Representatives. He came to represent hope for the underdog. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Edit…
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Bobby Plump is the real life player that was the basis for the character of Jimmy Chitwood in the movie “Hoosiers.” But his life far more than a single game winning shot. In part one of Plump’s story, we will go through the end of high school and the Milan Miracle. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, produc…
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When basketball was first invented, nobody thought about height being an advantage. Most coaches looked for players who were fast and athletic. It wasn’t until the 1930s that some coaches started looking for height. Today, the NBA has 70 players that are 7-feet tall or taller. We go through the history of how we got from pro players who averaged 5-…
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Send us a text The Anxious Rambler has her own feed but I am posting one final episode to encourage anyone interested to subscribe. I am contributing as a producer and sometimes co-host. The voice is all her own. This episode is a dose of nostalgia as we prepare for a throwback concert. Incubus and Morning View fill the rearview and now the road ah…
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The Minnesota Muskies could not catch a break. After one year they relocated to Florida and became the Miami Floridians. No matter how hard they tried, they could not get people to come watch the games. In the end they only lasted five seasons before closing down. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, produce…
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The 1960 Olympic Basketball Team was selected using a tournament format where four NCAA teams, three adult amateur teams, and a military team competed in hopes of getting their players on the Olympic roster. The AAU was in charge of the selection process, but they saw their power diminish when the college players dominated the AAU players. CREDITS …
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Larry Costello was the last NBA player to employ the two-handed set shot. The one-handed jump shot had taken over basketball in the 1940s, but Costello was still using the old-fashioned shot even in the 1960s. Later during his tenure as the Bucks' coach in the 1970s, he invented the idea of watching game film to study an upcoming opponent, an inval…
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Pete Newell was one of the greatest coaches of all time. In the summer of 1976, he took time to help Kermit Washington improve his low post skills. That became the start of his Big Man Camp that he ran for nearly 30 years. Every summer some of the greatest players in the NBA took time to learn from Pete Newell; players like Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem…
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The ABA started in 1967, and one of the original teams was the Anaheim Amigos. They later changed their name to the Los Angeles Stars and then moved to become the Utah Stars. Unfortunately, they did not make it to the merger with the NBA, but we tell their story anyway... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor,…
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In Indiana, high school basketball is the most popular sport -- and for good reason. In many rural towns, it is what brings a community together. Fans still talk about the Milan Miracle in 1954 when a rural team upset a big city school for the state championship. So when the state legislature decided to split the state up into four divisions, it wa…
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Send us a text Welcome to episode three of The Anxious Rambler! After a light-hearted start (thanks to an unmuted laugh track!), we're excited to dive back into our exploration of music and more. In this episode, Cassie shares the story behind the podcast's name, reflecting on her journey of self-discovery, coping with anxiety, and the importance o…
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In order to compete with the dominant NBA, the old ABA had to get creative with their contracts in order to attract players. To do this, the ABA promised their players massive amounts of money, more than even the NBA could offer. What most players did not understand is that they would not get most of that money until 20 years in the future... CREDI…
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Send us a text Welcome to Episode 2 of The Anxious Rambler! If you missed Episode 1, you can catch it on our crossover podcast, Iconic Seasons, or on our new feed search for The Anxious Rambler. Today, Cassie joins me for a lively discussion we've had many times before: who are the best singers of all time? We're diving into our personal lists, deb…
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When Football Is Football is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear. HIGHLIGHTED SHOW: THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports H…
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NBA refereeing was wild in the early days of the league. Each ref would develop his own styles and tendencies. Some were known to allow fighting, and others were friendly to the away team. There was a lot more flair to the job. Sometimes after games, the referees would even grab a drink with the players and coaches from both teams. CREDITS Rick Loa…
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Send us a text In this special episode of Iconic Seasons Offseason, we're joined by a very special guest: The Anxious Rambler, who also happens to be my wife! As the NBA finals draw to a close, we shift gears and dive deep into the world of music, exploring her fascinating journey through the sounds of the 80s and 90s. Despite being born in the ear…
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Today, we complete our series on the Lost Teams of the NBA. On this episode we cover the Sheboygan Redskins, the Waterloo Hawks, and the original Denver Nuggets. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "1940's Slow Dance" by Doug "Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK sportshisto…
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For our 200th regular episode, we are sharing the story of Kobe’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors. He was on fire that night, and for some weird reason the Raptors never double-teamed Kobe... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Flashing Lights" by MokkaMusic "Horizon…
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Bill Garrett is the only person to win an Indiana State High School basketball championship as both a player and a coach. He was also the first black player at Indiana University and the Big 10 Conference. He broke barriers for future players and was one of the best people around. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza…
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The old NBL paved the way for the NBA in American professional basketball. The efforts of the older league should never be forgotten. The NBL started in 1937, while the NBA did not start until 1946. Today we take a look back at the history of the NBL. Four of their teams are still alive today on the NBA. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer…
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In the mid 1940s, college basketball was dominated by George Mikan and Bob Kurland. They played at the same time at DePaul University and Oklahoma A&M University, respectively. During their three years they combined for three championships and three national player of the year awards. But once they left college, their careers went in different bask…
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In today's edition of The Lost Teams, we cover the Baltimore Bullets -- who were the 1951 NBA champions -- along with the Indianapolis Olympians and the Anderson Packers. These teams all came to the NBA different ways and all left in different ways. However, all three were able to give the league steady footing that later led to success as a league…
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Send us a text Today's episode delves into the transformative journey of merging mind and body for ultimate wellness and purpose-driven living. We explore the evolution of fitness and wellness practices, bridging the gap between traditional training methods and holistic well-being. Craig Miller, founder of 2nd Prime, recounts his journey from baske…
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From the start of the NBA until the mid-1990s, there existed a role in professional basketball known as an enforcer. Before technical fouls and flagrant fouls, some teams would try to intentionally injure the opponent's star player since it only counted as a normal foul, so enforcers arose to protect those stars and punish anyone who tried to injur…
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Dennis Johnson was one of the most underrated players in the NBA. The man was a 9-time All-Defensive Player, a 5-time All-Star, and a starter on 3 NBA championship teams. What's unique is that he was neither a starter in high school nor recruited to any colleges. He was a classic late bloomer who grew six inches in height after he graduated high sc…
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Send us a text Dive deep into the evolving landscape of college basketball with "Shifting Tides: The Transfer Portal's Impact on College Basketball” Join us as we dissect the seismic shifts caused by the transfer portal and its implications for teams, players, and fans alike. In this podcast, we unravel the complexities of college basketball's new …
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James Naismith invented the game in 1891. In doing so, he followed 5 basic principles for developing his idea. We go through those five principles today and show that they are still being used today in modern form. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "The Stars and Stripes Fore…
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Elgin Baylor retired in 1971 due to his diminishing skills. However, the timing could not be worse for Baylor. The day that he retired, the Lakers started their famous 33-game winning streak and went on to win the championship... CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk"…
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